Thoughts about life, the universe and everything.

MIV2018 Festival Wrap-up

MIV2018 was a blast. So much fun. I challenged myself in a few ways, participating in different social events in ways I hadn’t done during my last IV. Here’s an idea: participation pays off. I had a really good time and even won a few times at different social things – which I was not expecting. Participation would have been prize enough. Enthusiasm leads to fun!

I’m not going to lie, it was full-on. IVs always are, especially the first half. Rehearsals for six hours a day, then social events in the evenings. This time, being Social Secretary, a part of me was always busy – mentally or physically – making sure things were running smoothly. By the end of the day, I was quite tired and rather “peopled out” – unusual for me!

I loved organising the social events though. I really like being (one of) the host(s) and seeing people having fun, making new friends and participating – like I said above, it all pays off.

The rehearsals were really good – we had a really good conductor who engaged us well. Patrick Burns got us – or at least me – thinking about the music in particular ways and working together to produce the desired quality sound. We had sectionals where our assistant conductor Leonard Weiss worked with Pat and us in two halves – sopranos and altos in one group, tenors and basses in the other.

One thing I love about rehearsing and performing in big choral groups is the journey from a diverse group of voices just starting to learn the music, to a cohesive group who’ve learnt their parts and sound confident and powerful. It’s bloody fantastic and with IVs, the process only takes ten days! I remember the first time we started feeling really cohesive (for me) – I was singing along as we ran through a piece. I heard the rest of us singing and realised, “This is going to be a great performance.”

I was right. 🙂

We sang really well, if I do say so myself. We heard great audience feedback afterwards too. It was a real treat to sing the pieces – I don’t know if I can pick a favourite, but all have taken turns popping up in my head since.

Thanks, MIV2018.

At the Aquademic Dinner…. every bit as good as I hoped.

Colourful coral in the fish tank

Opening Night.

Signatures from most if not all MIV registrants.

Was this during my Toast? Or when I retold the punchline of my joke? Hmmm.

That’s one big crocodile…

When you’re trying to take a photo and someone takes a photo of you….

Womble at MIV.

A well-earned drink at the post-concert party. 😉

Dessert at Aquademic Dinner….

A quick snap before we go on-stage…

Aaaalll the colours! The purply-white one is a unicorn fish or rhino fish, something like that. All so pretty!

Entree at Aquademic Dinner….

Womble tries out the conductor’s chair…

Shadowy fish….

….and the drums.

Womble checks out the rehearsal piano…

Womble with music score and songbook.

Womble rehearsing….and keeping away thirst.

Womble and ukulele/guitar (idk which!)….

Relaxing on the free camp evening.

Dance o’clock… Nifty decoration hanging in the hall.

Delicious main meal at Aquademic Dinner….

We brought these decorations in. I like them.

Card games on a free camp evening.

Womble investigates the pool.

(Click on the pic for a caption – they’re not in date order, just for fun.)